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Cyber security, a top concern in Asia Pac

The Internet Society, a non-for profit organisation dedicated to ensuring that the internet stays open, transparent, and defined by users, has found in a recent survey that online security warrants the most urgent attention from policymakers.

The Internet Society Survey on Policy Issues in Asia Pacific, which polled some 2,000 end-users from across the region on their attitudes towards current internet policy issues, has revealed that while access remain a primary concern for stakeholders; internet security has replaced cloud computing as the second biggest concern by the respondents.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that 58 per cent of survey respondents considered cybercrime as an issue that requires government attention, followed by connectivity, at 47 per cent; data protection, 45 per cent; and privacy, 44 per cent.

The survey has also found that with better connectivity in the past year – 70 per cent said they had better internet speed, and 55 per cent said there was a drop in their internet subscription cost − users are focusing on online trust.

Rajnesh Singh, Internet Society’s regional bureau director for Asia-Pacific, commented: “The results of this year’s survey show that stakeholders in the region hold connectivity and security as paramount, and feel these need urgent attention from governments.”

“As trust online has become a key issue for Internet users throughout Asia Pacific, it’s clear that people feel that current policies are not doing enough to protect their privacy and security online.”

Survey findings showed that there are many sides to what constitutes online trust: 77 per cent cited data protection as crucial for building confidence in the internet; while others said consumer protection (54 per cent), transparency (51 per cent), and the ability to communicate confidentially (51 per cent) were more important than content, service, technology, and applications (45 per cent).

The survey also reflected that while many believe that their country’s policies regarding online security were largely compatible with their human and civil rights, some 59 per cent of survey participants did not believe this extends to their privacy online.

Internet users were also found to be doubtful about the impact of online security policies on their online activities: over half indicated that these policies have not increased their confidence in being able to use the internet securely; and only 34 per cent said the current online policies appropriately address cyber threats and risks.